Alternate Guitar Tuning
A Guide

How many alternate guitar tuning possibilities are there? A LOT! Some guitarists have claimed to have used over 50 tunings. How many do MOST guitarists use? Only a few so far.

In this lesson, I have included only the most commonly used guitar tunings. Each section includes tuning tips and a link to a Guitar Pro tab and an mp3 example of the tuning.

Important Note: The images of the tabs are not the clearest, so I included printable PDF files--just click on the image.

Important Note 2: Be sure your guitar is in tune before trying any of these alternate guitar tuning ideas!

Here are the tunings:

Eb Tuning:

This one is easy--all of your strings are just tuned down 1/2 step. (Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb)

Tuning Hint:

1. Play the 5th string at the 6th fret and tune your sixth string to that note (one octave down). 2. Re-tune your guitar to the new 6th string pitch.

Example: Little Wing (Hendrix)

Drop D Tuning

For this tuning,all of your strings remain the same except for the 6th string, which is tuned a whole step down. (D A D G B E)

Tuning Hint:

Play your 4th string open and tune your 6th string to that note (one octave down).

Example: Last Train Home (Lost Prophets)

Drop C Tuning

This is not really the correct name for this tuning since ALL of the strings are re-tuned, but it is the name commonly used.(C G C F A D)

Tuning Hint:

1. Play the 4th string open and tune the 6th string to that note (one octave lower). 2. Tune the rest of the strings to the new 6th string note. 3. Play the 4th string open and the the 6th string to that note (one octave lower).

Example: Aerials (System of a Down)

Open Dsus4 Tuning

This is more commonly known as the "D A D G A D" tuning.

Tuning Hint:

1. Play your 4th string open and tune your 6th string to that note (one octave lower). 2. Play your 5th string open and tune your 2nd string to that note (one octave higher). 3 Play your 4th string open and tune your 1st string to that note (one octave higher).

Example: Kashmir (Led Zeppelin)

HAVE FUN!

Important Tuning Information: If you want your guitar to sound its best in these alternate tunings, you must keep your strings in good condition. Old strings will not hold a tune and will not produce a good tone. You should change your strings BEFORE they begin to sound dead.

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